She first appeared in Ninja Gaiden Black, with Nicchae, as an extension of the story mode on higher difficulties. With Nicchae, Ishtaros recaptures Rachel, fiend-hunter and sister of Alma, the Greater fiend. Both Ishtaros and Nicchae return for the path in Ninja Gaiden Sigma. In Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the Nintendo DS, both return as main villains instead of a minor side plot. Using the remains of the Vigoorian Emperor and the power of the Dark Dragon Stones, Nicchae and Ishtaros proceed to revive the Dark Dragon itself, resulting in Ryu's desperate attempt to defeat all three, with Ishtaros succumbing to Ryu's blade first, inevitably bringing forth the Dark Dragon and Ryu's ultimate battle.